Runner Max McNeill gains prestigious scholarship at top US university ahead of 2020 Olympics

The Lothian Running Club member has gained an athletics scholarship at Oklahoma City University where he will combine his athletics training with studying for a business degree for the next four years.

Uphall Station athlete Max McNeill has gained a scholarship to a prestigious American university as he makes a bid for inclusion in the GB team for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Lothian Running Club member has gained an athletics scholarship at Oklahoma City University where he will combine his athletics training with studying for a business degree for the next four years.

The former Broxburn Academy pupil recently won the 10km event at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

The 23-year-old said he was looking forward to devoting more time to his athletics as he bids to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

He said: “It was exhausting having to go training after work, and it will be great being able to run fresh.

“It wasn’t easy, and I am excited about working with top coaches and spending more time training.”

Max plans to continue running 5km and 10km races, but eventually wants to step up to marathon distance.

He added: “I will be back for Christmas times and holidays but basically my life for the next four years will consist of studying and running.

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“I can’t wait, as I am determined to get a Business degree and make it to the next Olympics.”

Elsewhere, within the Lothian Running Club, a trio of junior members were in action at the Scottish Athletics Age Group Championships at Grangemouth.

In her heat of the Under-13 Girls 800m, Hannah Steel finished in fifth place in 2:46.73. Her elder sister Erin scored personal bests in the 200m, finishing sixth, and 300m where she claimed seventh place in the under-15 races.

In the same age group, Erin McComisky was eighth in the 100m and sixth in the 300m.

The Lothian club’s Shona Young and Alan Robertson were among the prizes in the 36.5 mile Speyside Way Ultra Marathon.

Shona finished ninth overall and second female in 5:26.24 with Alan, who has contested all seven runnings of the event, coming home in 6:31.21.